Oak Mountain #4 January 2017

It’s Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend so we have three days to enjoy a camping trip. Unlike our previous 3-4 trips that were booked well in advance, we only made this reservation four days ago!  Last weekend brought 36 hours of below freezing temps and plenty enough ice to keep everyone indoors for three days, so most people around here had cabin fever.  Fortunately for us, the highs were in the lows 70s all weekend … quite a difference from last week for sure.  Anyway, we booked a site (one of only four remaining) and much to our surprise it was one of the best spots we’ve seen at OMSP.  It sits up high and has a wonderful view of the lake, and also has a large sitting area with picnic table and firepit.  

Since Carter had basketball practice on Friday evening and a game on Saturday morning, we committed to setting up and getting things rolling after the game was over.  Somewhere around 11:00am, I headed to the site while Kelly, Carter, and Caroline went to a birthday party.  I had everything set up and ready to go by 12:30 and they arrived shortly after.  We played around the area for a while until our camping party friends showed up.  It was a massive get-together as the Busenitzs (7), Williams (4), and Menards (3) joined us for a 18-member cookout!!  We had hot dogs, chips, dip, cookies, s’mores, and plenty of good times (but lacked light! We need some batteries for our lanterns!). The kids played and biked in the cul-de-sac and loved playing in the camper!

Everyone left around 7:00 and we ended our night shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, Caroline was under the weather so Kelly took her home for a better night sleep (and had myself a cozy movie night and made muffins! -Kelly).  That means it was just me and Carter.  For some very odd reason, he decided not to be wild and run around like he had just received his freedom, and instead climbed in the bed at 7:45.  I didn’t stop his momentum and found myself settled in at 7:58!!  How in the world did this happen??  We slept great, even though it got pretty cold, and I managed to wake up after a 10 ½ hour slumber.  Nice.

Caroline was off to a slow start but once the meds kicked in she was pretty good (with some moments of course).  Carter has fully embraced camping and the outdoors.  He had Donald making him some wooden spears to "kill" the fish.  

 Sunday brought a lot of fun to the table.  Even though we have been to OMSP a lot, we wanted to explore a few offerings that we had not been to yet.  Carter and I started by doing a little hiking and fishing.  We of course didn’t catch anything but we sure had fun just listening to nature and spending time together.

Cannot even express how similar these two are!  

 Next, we loaded up the van and headed to the Demonstration Farm (most of us would call it a petting zoo).  It is free admission and the kids loved it!  We saw goats, peacocks, donkeys, roosters, pigs (THE FATTEST PIG YOU'VE EVER SEEN), and ponies.  Carter became really good friends with a donkey named Taylor as she followed him around the park for a while.  Then, he was able to convince the staff member that the peacock’s name should be Carter. So if you go visit the farm, you MUST ask the worker what the peacocks names are and see if she says one is named Carter! If not, just don't tell Carter!  Meanwhile, Caroline looked on rather cautiously until she realized everything was good to go. She ended up hanging out with a bunch of goats!  *** I was very excited to use my new camping fanny pack that I insisted I needed, I know I am so cool! Also my new birthday Chacos! -Kelly

I don't think I have ever heard Carter laugh as loud as he did when he saw that pig!

This is our friend Taylor, that LOVED Carter.  When I took the selfie with him, he nuzzled up to me!  We will come visit you soon buddy!

We need a donkey.  Precious!

A bunch of goats!

Here's Carter the Peacock!

I just love this picture!  haha! -Kelly

Next, and since we were so close to the front entrance, we decided to head to Sonic for lunch.  It doesn’t take much convincing for me and Kelly to get some cheddar peppers.  :)

Time for Cheddar Poppers and an Oreo Blast!

After lunch, we drove to OMSP’s BMX track and watched different people take turns riding through the courses.  Carter and Caroline were both pretty interested so we stayed for the better part of an hour.

Carter's ready for the BMX track- -just need to get rid of those training wheels this spring!

Once we got back to the camper, we noticed a familiar vehicle was parked next to us and it turned out to be the Dearmans!  They hung out with us for an hour or so before they had to head back.  By this time, Kelly’s crock pot BBQ was about finished so we ate dinner and got ready for bed.

We love the Dearmans!

My new camping chair from my parents for my birthday:)  I love it!

Pork BBQ dinner (with Caroline's help) and then time for a show.  Carter wanted to cuddle, Caroline not so much.  

 Caroline, still a little sick but not enough to go home again, insisted on getting ready for and going to bed … so we let her.  Carter came out to the firepit with Mommy and Daddy for s’mores and good conversation.  It was a lot of fun for Kelly and me because we got to hear how much he is growing up, and beginning to process things differently, and because it allowed us a chance to do some positive parenting with different questions he asked (he talked about fears that he has, and just questions about life).  I am sure it is a night neither of us will forget.

 We all slept fairly well, except for about 90 minutes of Caroline waking up. She just hasn't been sleeping well in general lately and being a little sick isn't helping... poor thing. Once Kelly gave up and put her in our bed she was fine of course... she's a persistent little booger!   Monday morning was a little more fishing, a little more eating, and a lot of packing up. The park is currently working on building another beach area so Carter was very excited to show it to Caroline. They played for about an hour in the sand while we "fished". Held a pole in the water for an hour, with me asking about the whole time what's the point of fishing anyway? -Kelly  All in all, another great trip at a great State Park!  Until next time!

Just play around the tractors- no big deal!

I'm so hard core fishing and with my fanny pack!  And Caroline and that hat kills me!